What if...Imagine a World...

It's been hard to focus on writing a family memoir with all that is happening in the United States right now.   My heart grieves.  In working through this grief, the following words made their way to the page - bringing comfort in the knowledge that there is hope.

What If...

What if...
    fear keeps us from thinking clearly and making wise decisions?

What if...
    an "us" versus "them" attitude, if allowed to fester, would lead to our destruction?

What if...
    each of us were to take responsibility for our own actions instead of blaming and punishing others?

What if...
    the perceptions we've given our creator God aren't limited to our personal and corporate beliefs?

Imagine...

Imagine a world where...
   "Perfect Love" has the ability to take away our fear if we let it.

Imagine a world where...
    we value others not like us, by spending time with and listening to their stories; discovering our common humanity.

Imagine a world where...
    each of us takes responsibility for our actions - apologizing and making amends when we've caused another harm.

Imagine a world where...
   each of us knows how it feels to be valued, nurtured and comforted by the presence of our creator "God" - author of "Perfect Love".

Imagine a world where...
   there is Peace.

Note:  With the conclusion of this blog and a brighter outlook, the memoir writing continues.

Daily Vacations

Photo Credit: Cal Shook 

Picture the weight of the world being lifted. You are experiencing perfect peace.

Where are you located?

For me it is at the ocean. Watching the tide go in and out is like having my cares washed out to sea.  The world can wait while my soul is restored.

Rest During a Storm

After a day ministering to others, Jesus got into a boat with his disciples,then made his way to the back where he laid his head on a pillow and fell asleep.  As the boat makes its way toward the next shore, a storm hits.  The boat rocks violently and starts to capsize.  The disciples wake Jesus shouting. "We're drowning!"

Jesus sits up and tells the storm to stop and it does..
Mark 4:35-41

A Peaceful Island

At the time of this writing, my husband Jim and I are on vacation. The beauty of creation is around us as we walk along the ocean.  It's low tide.  We head for the cove.  With the tide rolled out the danger of a rip current is gone, leaving a once treacherous cove free to pass and a peaceful island within reach. My soul is at rest.

As this time away comes to a close, my goal is to create daily vacations.  A time each day to envision the cares and worries of everyday life, rolling out with the tide and freeing me to cross over to a place of peace - a daily restoring of my soul.

My prayer for you, my friend, is that you will find Peace!

Note:  Are you looking to create moments of rest and relaxation in your life?  Check out one of my favorite authors, Kirk Byron Jones.
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Find Rest, Peace, and Creativity this Election Season.

Are you feeling a bit fearful and angry this election season?

I sure am.

Not only am I fearful of “all” the political rhetoric, I’m concerned about the resulting anger it’s evoking within me.

Breathe

To calm my fears and relax I used the following words in a similar fashion to a "breath prayer" by taking a breath with each verse I read. 

Rest leads to Peace.

Peace leads to Clarity.

Clarity leads to Creativity. – Kirk Byron Jones, “Calling Forth New Life”

Discover

Mount Agamenticus - Cal Shook

With a more relaxed spirit, the following thoughts surfaced.

What images am I creating this election season?  What Images would I like to create?

With the answers came the insight that my rhetoric needs to be overhauled.

People that disagree with me are not stupid: they have the same fears for the future I have. 

There’s a creative spirit in everyone.

Each of us has the ability to create a variety of images.  From images that warm the soul to those that deaden the spirit.

In a world in turmoil what expressions of creativity are available? 

Am I opening the door or closing it to solutions that are not like mine.

What images are being portrayed this election season?

Are they?

Love or Hate

Peace or Fear

Forgiveness or Revenge

Joy or Misery

Compassion or Cruelty

Empathy or Disdain

York Harbor Daisies - Cal Shook

To truly love self and others requires finding inner peace.  Forgiveness allowed Jesus to say to those torturing him on the cross, “Father, forgive them...” Forgiveness of self and others brings inner joy, which reflects outwardly to others. 

Choose

The choice is each of ours – what type of images do we want to convey?

Images of:

Love, Peace and forgiveness which foster Joy, Compassion, and Empathy
Or
Images of:

Hate, Fear, and Revenge which promote Misery, Cruelty, and Disdain.

Pray

Ask God for help using a prayer like the following reflection prayer.

God please open our minds and hearts to seek out your will and guidance in our creative expression. 

Where there is hatred may we foster love?  May we take time to approach this election season with a more relaxed spirit.  May we open the door to the solutions offered by others not like ourselves, because we’re all here for a purpose.  We all have something to bring to the table.  Together we can create a world of peace and love.